Television is becoming more popular in many countries, but still out of reach for many people in the developing world. As a television spot is very expensive, you may try to get sponsorship from a commercial company.

Info-corners

Most of the activities described above such as drama, radio spots, posters, etc., are very useful to reach large audiences. They are effective in giving information, raising awareness and exploring attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS.

However, when the aim is to change the behaviour of a target group which is particularly vulnerable to HIV infection (for example, street youth), person-to-person communication has proved to be more effective. For that purpose, the youth group may organize info-corners in areas where the target audience is likely to gather. An info-corner, equipped with educational materials (e.g., leaflets and posters), provides an opportunity to have personal communication with those who show interest in the materials.

Care and support projects

There are many ways in which your youth group can assist people affected by HIV/AIDS. What you decide to do will depend on the needs of the people you wish to assist, the interests of your group, and the resources available in your community. Remember that it is important to work with other people and community agencies, such as health workers, churches, women’s groups, traditional healers and local leaders when you plan your project.

Examples of projects include:

Income-generating projects

When it is a family’s wage earner who is ill, the other family members may be left with no other sources of income. Youth members can assist communities to set up projects that generate income, so that the families of people who are ill have a means to earn money. Such projects can also be run by young people to help orphans with school fees and other basic needs.

If you want to offer help directly to people living with AIDS and their families, it is important to work with the local health unit whenever possible. Working with a recognized community agency will help ensure that the help you want to offer is needed and that it will be coordinated with other services being offered.

Local health workers can help you identify and plan which care projects are most appropriate for the youth group members to carry out locally. They can also help to organize the training and support needed when caring for people living with AIDS.

Read through the ideas suggested in this section, discuss them with the youth group and think about how you might adapt the ideas to make them appropriate in your culture.

Physical care

People living with AIDS are often weak and unable to help themselves. Young people may help the health-care worker and the family to make the person more comfortable, or may be able to look after a person living with AIDS for a short time so that the family can have a rest.

Emotional support

People living with AIDS may be frightened, sad or depressed. They may be afraid of dying or worried about what will happen to their family after they are gone. Some of these things may be difficult for them to talk about with those who are closest to them, and it may help them to have regular visits from someone who will listen and with whom they can share their feelings.

Material support

In some communities, the lack of items such as soap, plastic and cotton sheets, clothing and food supplements makes it difficult to care for people living with AIDS. Lack of basic items may also be a problem for the family, particularly the children, if the wage earner is ill. Your youth group may be able to collect and distribute needed items such as clothing, food and bedding.

Helping with domestic chores

When an adult member of the family is ill, it may be difficult for families to carry out all their usual domestic chores. Youth members can help with looking after children, shopping, growing or harvesting food, running errands, or cooking a meal.

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Educating the family

The families of people living with AIDS may not know a great deal about HIV/AIDS and may be fearful that they will get HIV if they care for their sick relative or friend. By befriending a person living with AIDS and talking with the family about the ways in which HIV is and is not spread, you may be able to reassure them.

Support for families after the death of someone

The need for support does not stop with the death of someone from AIDS. Youth group members should continue to befriend and support those left behind.

In providing a service for people living with AIDS, youth group members will become involved in the progression of the illness. They should be given an opportunity to discuss their worries and fears with someone they trust. Many young people will find working with people affected by HIV/AIDS easier if they work in small teams, rather than individually. They can then share their feelings with other members of the team. Most communities have traditional ways of dealing with illness, dying and death.

If the person group members have been caring for dies, they should be given appropriate support. A local person who has been trained in counselling may be available to assist the youth group both in caring for people living with AIDS and in the making sure that the youth members do not become depressed or overwhelmed by the problems associated with AIDS.